Hilo, Hawaii, is a lush, tropical paradise far different from other cities in Hawaii. Its port is popular for cruise ships and garners thousands of visitors daily. If you’re visiting on a cruise or for a more extended trip, here are the top things to do in Hilo, Hawaii.
Hilo is a quaint town. It’s called Hawaii’s biggest small town; you’ll understand why when you get there.
The architecture is primarily wooden from the early 20th century. Although Hilo is the largest city on the island, it feels like an old-fashioned small town.
I hope you enjoy this post’s recommendations for the top things to do in Hilo and have a wonderful time there. I lived there for six months and worked at its primary medical center.
The people in Hilo are some of the nicest, kindest individuals I’ve worked with as a traveling medical professional. I often think about and visit since many friends still live there.
Which Island Is Hilo On?
Hilo is located on the windward side of Hawaii Island, known as The Big Island.
Hilo has an international airport (ITO) with frequent flights to and from Honolulu and other destinations.
You can drive to Kona, which takes about one and a half to two hours.
What Is the Weather Like in Hilo, HI?
Hilo, Hawaii, is the wettest place in the United States.
The town receives over 276 days of rain and approximately 130 inches of rain per year, so it will probably rain during part of your visit.
During their wet season, from November through March, there may be 15 to 19 inches of rain a month.
I’ll repeat this one: HILO GETS RAIN. And it’s not the light, tropical rain that other Hawaiian cities, like Honolulu, have. It’s continuous, pounding rain that happens almost every day.
If you are yearning for a sunny beach vacation, Hilo isn’t the spot for you. Nearby Kona is the sunny side of the island with white sand beaches and sunny days.
The temperature is milder than in other cities in Hawaii. For most of the year, the high temperatures remain in the low to mid-80s, and the low temperatures stay in the mid-to-high-60s.
We’ll go over what to pack next but definitely pack rain gear.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Hilo?
This depends on you, of course.
Many visit Hilo for a day as an excursion on their cruise ship. A day is a reasonable amount of time to see its beauty.
If you’re planning a Big Island vacation, 2-3 days in Hilo would be enough time to see all the major attractions.
What to Pack for Hilo?
Packing for Hilo will be relatively similar to packing for any Hawaii vacation. Hilo is very casual. You can read my complete Hawaii Packing List here.
Here are some items, in brief, I recommend:
- Bathing suits/swim trunks
- Casual clothes like shorts, tank tops, tee shirts
- Women may want to bring dresses
- Cover-ups
- Flip flops
- A shoe with good tread to withstand walking in the rain, such as a Teva
- A rainshell jacket
- An umbrella
- Sun protection such as hats, reef-safe sunscreen, and polarized sunglasses
- A light sweater or sweatshirt for colder mornings/nights
- Hiking Shoes with good tread if you plan to hike. A lighter trail runner shoe does better in Hawaii than a heavy hiking boot.
- Waterproof pouches for your phone
- Dry bag to keep your items dry by the beach or in the rain
- A snorkel if you plan to snorkel solo without a tour group
- Water shoes for the beach, it’s rocky/black sand
What Else Should I Know About Visiting Hawaii?
There’s a lot to learn about visiting Hawaii. Many important things have been published in other posts, which I’ll share below.
- When Is The Best Time To Visit Hawaii
- Hawaii Packing List
- Best Island To Visit In Hawaii for The First Time
Places To Eat In Hilo
Here are my favorite places to eat in Hilo and what they specialize in.
- The Booch Bar specializes in fresh, local, and healthy foods and is the perfect place for lunch. It is my favorite restaurant in Hilo, and I eat there whenever I visit friends.
- Ken’s House of Pancakes is perhaps Hilo’s most popular and iconic restaurant. It is famous for its dinner-style breakfast meals.
- Ponds Hilo is an elevated dining experience with a dark wood ambiance that transports you to days gone by. The cuisine is curated around fresh seafood and offers lovely, fresh dishes.
- Hilo Bay Cafe is a more trendy place to eat in Hilo. Its menu offers modern American-style cuisine with a Hawaiian twist.
- Jackie Rey’s is an elevated restaurant downtown. The best time to go is during happy hour, which is from 3 pm to 5 pm daily and offers discounted pupus and alcohol.
- New Chiang Mai Thai Cuisine has yummy Thai food and a relaxed atmosphere.
- Ola Brew Taphouse features local Ola Brews, live music, and a Hawaiian/American fusion menu. They also have many beer alternatives, such as hard ciders and hard teas, which I enjoy since I’m not a beer enthusiast.
- Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack is a burst of color with fresh smoothies, acai bowls, and ice cream. They also have salad and sandwiches.
The Top Things to Do In Hilo, Hawaii
Hilo is a beautiful place to adventure outside and observe the pristine beauty of the land and water.
Walk Through Downtown Hilo
Downtown Hilo, which runs along Kamehameha Avenue and Keawe Street parallel to Hilo Bay, is full of storefronts in historic wooden buildings.
You can find unique stores holding items from local artists, modern Hawaiian-design clothes, like those from Sig Zane, thrift stores, and many of the restaurants mentioned above.
Hilo Farmers Market
The Hilo Farmers Market in downtown brings fresh produce, food, and local vendors to you in the center of Hilo.
The market is located on the corner of Kamehameha Avenue and Mamo Street in Hilo.
It’s currently open every day from 7 am to 3 pm.
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is the iconic waterfall in Hilo that often has a beautiful rainbow passing through the water.
You don’t have to hike to see the falls. The scenic lookout point is a short path away from the parking lot.
Richardson Ocean Park
Richardson Ocean Park is a black sand beach near Hilo that is popular with swimmers, snorkelers, and families.
This is also where turtles love to swim, so that you may get some turtle sightings.
Come early and avoid the park on the weekends, as it gets crowded with locals, and parking may be problematic.
Carlsmith Beach Park
Carlsmith Beach Park in Hilo is another wonderful spot for swimming, snorkeling, and water adventures.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
While technically not in Hilo, it’s hard not to talk about Hilo without mentioning Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The gate to Hawaii Volcano National Park is a 45-minute drive from town, the closest central town to the park.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
Visiting the volcanos is a must if you’re spending time in Hilo.
If the volcanoes are actively erupting, you may enjoy seeing the lava flow light up the sky at night; see the photos below.
The park is also enjoyable during the day. You can hike through volcano craters and steam vents and marvel at the land created by lava.
Lavaloha Chocolate Farm
Lavaloha Chocolate Farm is one of my favorite things to do in Hilo and a place to take visitors. I initially found Lavaloha from a Facebook ad targeted to Hilo, which didn’t disappoint.
The chocolate farm walks you through the mind-blowing process of creating chocolate from the cacao plant. You get to walk through the farm and see the process from tree to final product. Of course, you get to taste the final product.
One of the most surprising things about the cacao plant is how it presents in its original form. It has a citrus taste and doesn’t taste like chocolate at all. I applaud the person who realized that this inconspicuous plant could make one of the most delicious treats in the world. Bravo!
On the chocolate tour, make sure to stop at their gift shop. In addition to selling their excellent chocolate, they also make incredible coffee, far superior to Kona brews, which they exclusively sell in the gift shop.
Eat Two Ladies Kitchen Mochi
Hawaii’s freshest, most delicious mochi is at Two Ladies Kitchen on Kilauea Avenue in Hilo. Although the storefront is unassuming, there is almost always a long line waiting outside for goodies because the mochi is so amazing.
The store has limited hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm, and is always busy.
Go early and enjoy the fresh, tasty mochi.
Liliuokalani Gardens
A free public garden and park, this impeccable park has a beautiful Japanese garden and oceanfront views.
Circling the gardens is a half-mile paved walking trail perfect for exercise.
The park is also dog-friendly. Hilo isn’t particularly dog-friendly, but this was one of the spots where my dog and I would come to walk regularly.
Akaka Falls State Park
Akaka Falls State Park, a 25-minute drive from Hilo, is home to one of Hawaii’s most magnificent waterfalls.
The waterfall stands 422 feet high and flows into a gorge, creating a beautiful cascading waterfall.
A scenic half-mile loop trail walks through mystical rainforest terrain to the falls. The trail and waterfalls are a beautiful stop on your Hilo adventures.
Get Treats at Big Island Candies
Big Island Candies is synonymous with Hilo and The Big Island. Their famous chocolate-dipped shortbread cookie is enjoyed all over Hawaii.
Their flagship Hilo store is open daily from 8:30 am to 5 pm at 585 Hinano Street.
Inside the store, there’s a window into the factory where you can watch products being made.
Of course, the store is filled with yummy treats to buy and sample. This is also where you can buy gifts and souvenirs from your trip.
Recap: Top Things to Do In Hilo
Hilo is a unique town in Hawaii that feels like the past meets the present. It combines old-school flair with modern vibrance. Surrounded by the beautiful ocean and lush rainforests, it’s a wonderful place to visit.
Come prepared for rain; it is the rainiest place in the United States.
I hope you enjoyed this list of the top things to do in Hilo and that you have a wonderful time there.
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